Favourites firm after Round 18

Brothers 50 def Wattles 6

Brothers travelled to Platz Oval on Saturday night. They convincingly defeated Wattles in an effortless display. Young players Mitch Revell, Zane Wilshire and William O’Gradey all played well for the Brethren. Dale Perkins again led by example for the Warriors

Dalby 12 def Valleys 8

Dalby Diehards made it two wins in a row at Dalby on Saturday night when they beat Valleys Roosters in this season’s lowest-scoring match. Amazingly the score was nil all at half-time. The first half was fairly scrappy but in the second-half, the game settled into a tough contest.

Each side scored two tries each. But it was Dylan Taylor’s two goals that made the difference. Tom Boland, Mitchell Taylor and Xavier Manely were Dalby’s best. Valleys were impressive and will need to be watched over the last few rounds.

Dalby 12 (Sam Thomasson, Tom Boland tries; Dylan Taylor 2 goals) def Valleys 8 (Trent Nicholls, Gus Mati tries)

Souths 82 def Oakey 0

Souths kept their finals form intact by thrashing a hapless Oakey at Terry Mickleborough Oval. The Tigers had nine individual tryscorers with Chris Oliver kicking seven goals.

Souths 82 (Jerome Waters, Jack Gilmartin, Cody Reid, Djarwyn Burns, Tim Mills, Emmanuel Thornley, Phil Waters, Jeremy Jerome, Aaron Thornley tries; Chris Oliver 7 goals) def Oakey 0

Gatton 42 def Goondiwindi 18

Gatton took care of Goondiwindi at Cahill Park Sporting Complex by racing in eight tries to three. The Hawks always had control in the match with Callum Woolacott scoring two tries and kicking a bag of goals to remain the competition’s leading point-scorer. Winger Josh Belz also scored a double and was the Hawks best player. Everything he touched turned to gold and he played havoc with the Boars defence. Gatton led 26-6 at half-time and went on with it in the second-half.

The Boars tried hard and were competitive all day but Hawks halves Dom Haak and Woolacott were just a bit too classy for them.        

Gatton 42 (Josh Belz 2, Callum Woolacott 2, Scott Cubit, Allan Morris, Robert Fletcher, Dennis Burgoyne tries; Callum Woolacott 5 goals) def Goondiwindi 18 (Shane O’Brien, Ryan North, Carl Clement tries; McKenna Gibson 3 goals)

Eagles halfback Jarrod Lee was named Hutchies Player of the Round.

Highfields 34 def Pittsworth 26

Highfields put a shiver through the 2016 season with a convincing win over competition leaders Pittsworth.

Pittsworth led 12-6 midway through the first half and looked dominating during that initial period. But Highfields scored the next 28 points in a convincing display that put a message out to the rest of the competition. Eagles halfback Jarrod Lee had the ball on a string with accurate kicking and he was good in defence as well. He challenged the line and his teammates followed.

Pittsworth challenged the Eagles but were outplayed. Losing their playmaker Thomas O’Sullivan early in the second-half was the turning point for the Danes. They lost their momentum and Highfields capitalised with urgency in their attack and sting in their defence. Their slick backline were impressive. Form centre Braydon Mitchell scored a double. Ever reliable Blake Appo also collected a double.

Pittsworth certainly weren’t disgraced and three late tries showed why they are on the top of the ladder.

It was a tough contest with players on both sides going down injured, but Highfields deserved the win and are on track again after last week’s poor effort against the Cowboys.

Their win throws the guessing game out the window as far as a clear favourite for the competition is concerned

Highfields 34 (Robert Elara 2, Blake Appo 2, Braydon Mitchell 2 tries; Jarrod Lee 5 goals) def Pittsworth 26 (Jeff Weber, Thomas O’Sullivan, Jake Johnston, Mitchell Carpenter, Kurtis Shayler tries;  Jake Johnston 3 goals)

Round 18 results

Ladders

A-Grade: Pittsworth 28, Warwick 26, Brothers 24,  Souths 24, Gatton 22, Highfields 21, Dalby 14, Valleys 11, Wattles 8, Goondiwindi 2, Oakey 0.

Reserve-Grade: Gatton 29, Warwick 26, Pittsworth 26, Souths 25, Valleys 21, Highfields 14, Goondiwindi 13, Dalby 12, Brothers 11, Oakey 3, Wattles 2.

Under 18: Valleys 32, Burnett Blue 26, Pittsworth 26, Warwick 26, Dalby 18, Brothers 17, Souths 12, Wattles 12, Burnett White 10,  Highfields 10, Goondiwindi 9, Border 4, Gatton 4.

2^nd Division: Gatton 18, Souths 12, Pittsworth 10, Brothers 10, Dalby 10, Valleys 8, Warwick 2.